Introduction
Cyber attacks are becoming increasingly sophisticated, and businesses of all sizes are finding themselves targets. One of the most effective ways to understand your security posture is through penetration testing.
A penetration test simulates a real-world cyber attack to identify vulnerabilities before criminals can exploit them.
But how often should a business conduct one?
Annual Testing is the Minimum
For most organisations, an annual penetration test should be considered the minimum standard.
Many cyber security frameworks and insurance providers expect organisations to conduct regular testing to validate security controls.
Annual testing provides visibility into:
- New vulnerabilities
- Configuration weaknesses
- Security drift
- Changes introduced through technology upgrades
Test After Significant Changes
Additional testing should be considered whenever major changes occur, including:
- New websites
- Cloud migrations
- Office relocations
- Firewall replacements
- Microsoft 365 deployments
- Mergers and acquisitions
Any significant change can introduce unexpected security risks.
Common Vulnerabilities Found
During testing, common findings often include:
- Weak passwords
- Unpatched software
- Misconfigured firewalls
- Exposed services
- Excessive permissions
- Insecure web applications
Many of these vulnerabilities can be exploited quickly by attackers.
The Cost of Waiting
Organisations often postpone testing because they believe they have no reason to suspect a problem.
Unfortunately, attackers do not wait for annual security reviews.
The average cost of responding to a cyber incident can far exceed the cost of proactive testing.
Conclusion
Penetration testing should form part of every organisation’s cyber security strategy.
The most effective approach combines annual testing with additional assessments following significant business or technology changes.